<jats:sec> <jats:title>Purpose</jats:title> <jats:p>Despite the growing body of literature examining CEO-level antecedents of digitalization orientation, the impact of a CEO’s founder identity remains elusive. Drawing on stewardship theory, this study aims to investigate the impact of a CEO’s founder identity on digitalization orientation and its boundary conditions.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Design/methodology/approach</jats:title> <jats:p>Using data from Chinese listed firms with founders between 2012 and 2023, this paper estimates with correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Findings</jats:title> <jats:p>Specifically, this study find that founder CEOs exhibit a stronger strategic emphasis on digitalization orientation. This propensity stems from their founder identity, an attribute that drives long-term thinking and risk tolerance. Furthermore, independent directors weaken the positive relationship between founder CEOs and digitalization orientation, whereas industry competition strengthens this relationship.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Originality/value</jats:title> <jats:p>This research offers new theoretical and practical insights into the study of digitalization and the unique role of founder CEOs.</jats:p> </jats:sec>